Storage Beds: Ottoman, Divan & Drawer Options Compared

A bed takes up more floor space than any other piece of furniture in your home, so it makes sense to put that footprint to work. Storage beds reclaim the cubic metre or more of dead space hiding under the mattress, turning it into somewhere to stow spare duvets, suitcases, off-season clothes and the clutter that never quite has a home. But “storage bed” covers three very different designs — ottoman, divan and drawer — and they vary enormously in how much they hold and how easily you can reach it. This guide compares all three on capacity, access, cost and the rooms they suit, so you can choose the right one with confidence.

1. The three main storage bed types

Although shops use the words loosely, there are really three distinct mechanisms, and understanding them is the key to a good decision. An ottoman bed lifts the entire mattress platform upward on gas struts, like opening the boot of a car, to reveal one enormous open compartment underneath. A divan bed is a traditional sprung base with two or four drawers built into the sides, sliding out on runners or castors at floor level. A drawer bed (often a wooden or upholstered bedstead) is similar in principle but the drawers are integrated into a framed bed rather than a fabric-covered divan box.

The defining difference is direction of access. Ottoman beds open vertically and give you the whole footprint as a single cavity. Divan and drawer beds open horizontally, so the storage is split into pockets and you need clear floor space beside the bed to pull them out. That single distinction drives almost everything else — capacity, the room layout you need, and how often you’ll realistically use the space. If you want the maximum room-for-room storage in a compact bedroom, an ottoman bed is usually the answer; if you want quick daily access to a few items, drawers can be the friendlier choice.

2. Capacity compared: how much each holds

The numbers tell a clear story. Because an ottoman uses the full area beneath the mattress and the full height of the base — typically 25 to 35 cm of internal depth — a double ottoman gives you roughly 700 to 900 litres of usable volume. That is comparable to a large wardrobe lying on its back, and it swallows several large suitcases or a stack of storage boxes with ease. Side-opening ottomans are slightly shallower than end-opening ones but the difference is marginal.

Drawers, by contrast, only capture the space the drawer boxes physically occupy, and there are gaps between and around them. A typical four-drawer divan offers something like 200 to 300 litres in total, spread across separate compartments that each take folded clothes or bedding but won’t accept a tall or bulky item. The table below gives realistic figures for a standard 135 cm double.

3. Access: how easily you reach your things

Capacity is only half the picture; how often you’ll use the space depends on how easy it is to get into. This is where the two designs trade places. Drawers win on frequency: you can open one with a single hand while standing beside the bed, grab a jumper and close it again in seconds, without disturbing the bedding. That makes drawer and divan beds ideal for things you reach for weekly — pyjamas, spare bedlinen, a child’s toys.

Ottomans win on volume per visit but cost you a little effort each time. You need to clear anything sitting on the bed, then lift the platform on its struts, which means the bed is briefly out of action while it’s open. That suits long-term, low-frequency storage beautifully — suitcases you use twice a year, winter duvets in summer, keepsakes — but it’s less convenient for daily grabbing. A good compromise in many homes is an ottoman for the deep store plus a separate chest of drawers for everyday clothes, keeping the bed for the things you rarely touch.

4. Room size and clearance you need

The two mechanisms place very different demands on your floor plan, and getting this wrong is the most common regret. A side-opening ottoman needs enough clearance on one long side of the bed for the platform to swing up and for you to stand and load it — allow roughly 70 cm of clear floor on the opening side. An end-opening ottoman lifts toward the foot of the bed, so it suits rooms where the bed sits against a wall on both sides but has space at the foot, such as a loft or a box room.

Divan and drawer beds need clearance in a different place: directly in front of each drawer. A side drawer needs about 55 to 70 cm of pull-out room beside the bed, and crucially that space must stay permanently clear — a bedside cabinet, radiator or wall right next to the drawer will block it completely. This is the classic small-bedroom trap: the bed fits, but the drawers can’t open because the wardrobe is in the way.

5. Mattresses and the gas-lift question

Storage beds have a few mattress considerations that ordinary bedsteads don’t. With an ottoman, the gas struts are calibrated for a typical mattress weight, usually somewhere between about 12 and 30 kg. A very heavy mattress — some pocket-sprung and hybrid models with thick latex or memory layers can exceed 35 kg in a king size — can make the platform harder to lift and, over time, tire the struts. Always check the maximum mattress weight the lift mechanism is rated for, and pair a heavier mattress with a bed whose struts are specified to match.

Depth matters too. An ottoman platform needs the mattress to sit within the base recess so the lid closes cleanly and the bed looks right; most are designed around mattresses of roughly 18 to 30 cm. Drawer and divan beds are more forgiving on mattress weight because nothing has to lift, but the base type still affects feel — a sprung divan base adds a little give, while a solid platform top feels firmer. If you’re choosing a new mattress at the same time, our mattress buying guide and size guide will help you match the two, and you can browse the full range of mattresses alongside your bed.

6. What to actually store (and what not to)

Under-bed space is brilliant, but it isn’t suited to everything, and a little planning keeps your belongings in good condition. The best candidates are clean, dry, low-frequency items that take up bulk: spare duvets and pillows, off-season clothing, suitcases and travel bags, spare bedlinen, and seasonal decorations. Vacuum-compression bags are a natural partner for an ottoman, letting you shrink a winter duvet to a fraction of its size and use the depth efficiently.

• Ideal: suitcases, spare bedding, seasonal clothes, keepsakes in lidded boxes, spare pillows.
• Fine with care: shoes and bags (use boxes to keep dust off), children’s toys in a divan drawer for easy access.
• Avoid: anything damp, perishable, or scented strongly; valuable documents that need ventilation; items you need to reach several times a day if you’ve chosen an ottoman.

One practical caution: under-bed cavities have limited airflow, so let laundry be fully dry before it goes in, and consider a couple of moisture absorbers in older or ground-floor rooms to guard against any musty smell. For bedding and clothes you rotate seasonally, breathable fabric storage bags are kinder than sealed plastic. If your storage need is really about clothes rather than bulk, it may be worth pairing the bed with a wardrobe — see our wardrobe guide for that side of the bedroom.

7. Build quality and what to check

A storage bed has moving parts and bears repeated loading, so construction matters more than on a plain bedstead. With ottomans, the gas struts are the component that determines longevity — look for two struts rather than one on double and larger sizes, and a stated weight rating. A quality lid lifts smoothly with light pressure and holds steady at the top without creeping down. Cheap single-strut mechanisms can feel heavy and sag within a year or two.

For divan and drawer beds, the runners are the equivalent weak point. Metal runners glide far better than bare timber and cope with heavier loads; castors at the front of the drawer help on carpet. Check that the drawers extend far enough to reach the back of the box — many only open two-thirds of the way. Across all types, look at the frame: a solid timber or sturdy engineered-wood base will outlast a flimsy one, and an upholstered finish should have neat, even seams and a removable or wipeable cover. Our furniture care guide covers keeping upholstered bases looking their best.

8. Choosing the right one for your home

Bring it together by matching the bed to how you live. Choose an ottoman if you’re short on floor space, want the single biggest storage volume, and mostly need somewhere for bulky, occasional items — it’s the natural pick for small bedrooms, lofts and flats where every cubic metre counts. Choose a divan with drawers if you value quick daily access, have clear floor space beside the bed, and want a softer sprung base. Choose an upholstered drawer bedstead if you want the look of a statement headboard and frame with some bonus storage, accepting that capacity is the most modest of the three.

Size scales the benefit: the larger the bed, the more dramatic the storage gain, so the case for an ottoman is strongest in double and king size. In a single, a couple of drawers may be all you need. Whichever you choose, think about the bed as part of the whole room — co-ordinating it with your bedroom furniture and a bedside or two creates a calm, cohesive scheme rather than a patchwork. When you’ve settled on the type, browse the full ottoman bed range and the wider beds collection to find the style and finish that fits your room.

9. Buying with confidence

Investing in a storage bed should feel reassuring, not risky. Every Elystra Living order comes with fast delivery, so your new bed arrives promptly and ready to assemble, and our 30-day returns promise means you can be sure it’s right for your room with genuine peace of mind. We also make it easy to manage the cost: spread the price with Klarna in interest-free instalments, so a quality bed that earns its keep for years doesn’t have to land all at once. If you have any doubts about size or clearance, our team is happy to help before you order. When you’re ready, explore the full collection of ottoman beds and find the design that turns wasted under-bed space into the most useful storage in your home.